Police: No proof that rape in article occurred at college

BROCK VERGAKISJanuary 12, 2015

Police said Monday that they’ve been unable to confirm that an alleged gang rape occurred at a University of Virginia social organization as described in a Rolling Stone article, and the school reinstated the group and its activities.

The University of Virginia said in a statement that the decision to reinstate the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity was made after consulting with the Charlottesville Police Department. The Rolling Stone article described in graphic detail an alleged gang rape of a student at the Phi Kappa Psi house in 2012 and prompted scrutiny of sexual abuse at college campuses around America.

“The statement reads that we did not find any substantive basis to confirm the allegations occurred at Phi Kappa Psi, not that we said the assault did not occur. We are still investigating,” Charlottesville Police Capt. Gary Pleasants said in an email to The Associated Press.

After the article was published in November, the magazine issued a statement noting discrepancies in the story and apologizing.

Still, campus and fraternity leaders were put under pressure to adopt reforms, and police launched an investigation into the alleged assault.

The school temporarily suspended fraternities and sororities’ social activities while administrators vowed to take an extensive look at improving safety on campus.

Phi Kappa Psi was the first fraternity to agree to new rules, some of which address alcohol distribution at parties. Officials want to make it less likely for a drug to be slipped into drinks.